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Season’s first shorebird nest discovered

Season’s first shorebird nest discovered

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Birds, Featured, Outdoors.

BRADENTON BEACH – The first shorebird nests this year on Anna Maria Island have been spotted and marked by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers.

A colony of least terns began nesting the week of May 6 at an undisclosed location in Bradenton Beach. A state-designated threatened species, least terns last nested on Anna Maria Island in 2021.

As of May 9, there were four nests and 10 individual birds, according to Turtle Watch volunteer Kathy Doddridge. When she first came across the nesting birds, there were only two nests.

Once eggs were located, volunteers marked off the area to protect the nests from human and vehicle interaction.

Season’s first shorebird nest discovered
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers have marked off a least tern nesting site in Bradenton Beach. – Submitted | Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring

According to Turtle Watch, previous colonies failed due to the presence of cats and crows, both predators of least terns. Keeping cats indoors and covering garbage to keep away crows are important for keeping the birds safe.

Least tern eggs take about 21 days to hatch. Chicks will then look for places to hide so chick huts have been placed within the perimeter of the marked area to provide shelter and shade. Least terns fly 19-20 days after hatching.

Least terns are protected by both state and federal laws.

Turtle Watch asks beachgoers to abide by the following:

• Keep your distance. If birds become agitated or leave their nests, you are too close. A general rule is to stay at least 300 feet away from a nest.

• Respect posted areas. Avoid posted nesting and resting areas and use designated walkways.

• Teach children to refrain from intentionally forcing birds to fly. When birds are chased or disturbed, they use energy they need to reserve for nesting and migration.

• Pets are not allowed on AMI beaches. Keep dogs and cats off the beach, as even their scent can frighten birds off nests.

• Keep the beach clean and do not feed wildlife. Food scraps attract predators such as raccoons and crows to the beaches. Litter on beaches can entangle birds.

Turtle Watch volunteers find season’s first sea turtle nest

Turtle Watch volunteers find season’s first sea turtle nest

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Volunteers with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring have found and marked the first loggerhead sea turtle nest of the season on the Island.

“We are excited to start the nesting season on Anna Maria Island and look forward to a productive season protecting nests and educating the public,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said in a statement.

Under a directive from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Turtle Watch volunteers began patrolling local beaches on April 15, although the official start of sea turtle nesting season is May 1.

Beginning early in the morning, volunteers monitor beaches daily for sea turtle activity.

Turtle Watch breaks down nesting data into three geographical sections. The first is from the Longboat Key Bridge north to Manatee Beach, the second is from Manatee Beach north to Bean Point, and the third covers bayside beaches.

Turtle Watch reminds residents and visitors of the following dos and don’ts:

DO:

• Shield or turn off outdoor lights that are visible on the beach and close drapes after dark;

• Remove all beach furniture and toys from the beach at night;

• Fill in holes and knock down sandcastles that may impede hatchlings on their way to the water;

• Place trash in its proper place;

• Keep your distance from posted nest sites;

• If you encounter a nesting turtle, remain quiet and observe from a distance;

• Call AMITW at 941-301-8434 or FWC at 888-404-3922 if you find a turtle (adult or hatchling) in distress; and

• Notify local law enforcement if you see anyone disturbing a turtle, hatchlings or nest site.

DO NOT:

• Use flashlights, cellphones, flash photography or fishing lamps on the beach;

• Encourage a turtle to move while nesting or pick up hatchlings that have emerged;

• Use fireworks on the beach; or

• Approach nesting turtles or emerging hatchlings, make noise, or shine lights at turtles.

For more information on ways to help protect sea turtles, visit islandturtlewatch.com.

Turtle Watch releases stranding report

Turtle Watch releases stranding report

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – 2023 was a busy year for the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Turtle Stranding and Salvage Team.

From January 2023 through January 2024, the team responded to 20 calls for stranded sea turtles. Those responses included nine loggerheads, 10 green turtles and one unidentified species due to distance from the shoreline.

Two of the turtles were rescued alive and one of them was released back into Island waters in good health, according to a press release from Turtle Watch Stranding Coordinator Karen Anderson.

The turtle nesting season begins on May 1 and ends Oct. 31, but Turtle Watch volunteers are working to protect sea turtles all year long through its stranding and salvage team.

Strandings are often reported by boaters and beachgoers, and the Turtle Watch team is trained to respond to calls on or near Anna Maria Island and its surrounding waters.

“The AMITW Stranding and Salvage Team holds a Marine Turtle Permit issued by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) which requires special training to work with endangered species,” according to Anderson.

A stranding occurs when a sick, injured or dead sea turtle floats on the surface of the water and tidal currents may push it on or near the shoreline.

Anderson wrote that there are a variety of reasons that sea turtles strand, including plastic ingestion, boat strikes, entanglement in fishing gear (fishing line, nets and hooks), shark bites, viral or parasitic infection, diseases, red tide and cold water temperatures.

Some of these threats are natural, but many are caused by humans and are preventable if we follow a few simple guidelines:

• Place trash in its proper place;

• Follow Coast Guard-approved safe boating practices;

• Use vigilance and wear polarized sunglasses while boating to avoid striking marine life.

Turtle nests run over on AMI beaches

Turtle nests run over on AMI beaches

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On a daily patrol last week, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers were shocked and saddened to find multiple turtle nests that had been trampled on and run over with vehicles.

On its Facebook page, Turtle Watch posted photos of tire tracks and footprints through multiple nests with marker stakes broken and on the ground.

Vehicles are illegal on the beaches of Anna Maria Island.

“We’d like to remind everyone that tampering with, disturbing or harassing any nest, adult or hatchling sea turtle is a federal offense punishable by a fine and/or jail time,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella said.

Disturbances to nests have the potential to impact their success, she said.

“We don’t know if any of the eggs were broken,” Mazzarella said. “We’ll find that out later in the season.”

Turtle Watch volunteers spent the morning of July 11 reposting nest stakes and documenting disturbances to at least four nests in undisclosed locations in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach.

This is the second time in a week that Turtle Watch volunteers found damaged nests, although Mazzarella said the prior incidents were likely not malicious and due to carelessness.

Mazzarella said multiple issues with nests following the Fourth of July holiday included people knocking over stakes, tearing marker tape, walking across nests, digging in the sand close to nests and putting up tents in nesting areas.

Turtle nests on local beaches are clearly marked with yellow numbered stakes and pink caution tape.

Turtle nesting season runs from May through October.

“I’d like to remind people, if you see something, say something,” Mazzarella said.

Report wildlife violations to the FWC. If your information results in an arrest or citation, you may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. You can report four ways:

• “FWC Wildlife Alert” app (download from Google Play or Apple Store)

• Text 847411 (Tip411) with the keyword “FWC” and information about the violation

• Call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (888-404-3922)

• Submit a tip at MyFWC.com/WildlifeAlert

If you see a nesting turtle or hatchling in distress, call Turtle Watch at 941-301-8434.

Avoid disturbing sea turtles, nests

Avoid disturbing sea turtles, nests

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – It’s been a good week for sea turtles as nest numbers continue to climb, according to Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella.

However, the group has documented several disturbances to nests on Island beaches.

“There were lots of large holes on the beach,” she said, thanking Manatee County’s beach cleaning staff for filling them in. “It’s best if people fill in their holes before they leave the beach. That way, they are not hazards to nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings at night.”

The holes also are hazards to people who walk the beach at night.

Mazzarella also reminded people to keep beaches dark at night to avoid disturbing nesting turtles.

“Lights are prohibited on the beach and can disturb turtles that may be nesting a long distance from a light source,” she said. “Several of our nesting females traveled a long distance out of their way because they were following lights instead of using the brightness of the night sky to find the ocean.”

This year, Turtle Watch is using backup stakes to find or remark nests in case a storm washes away existing stakes.

“They are placed in the dunes but sometimes in the middle of the beach,” Mazzarella said. “We urge people to avoid these stakes and leave them in place. Please call code enforcement or the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission if you see someone disturbing these nests or a nesting site.”

Turtle Watch commemorates Suzi Fox Day

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As turtle nesting season begins, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring (AMITW) declared May 1 as Suzi Fox Day to honor the legacy of its former executive director.

May 1 is the official start of sea turtle nesting season on Anna Maria Island, although the first turtle nest was laid in April this year. The season ends on Oct. 31.

“Suzi’s passion for protecting sea turtles enriched the community conservation efforts of AMITW for over 30 years and we dedicate this sea turtle nesting season to her,” Turtle Watch Director Kristen Mazzarella said.

“As part of our efforts to honor Suzi, we are renaming our Adopt-a-Nest Program in her memory,” Mazzarella said.

The “Suzi L. Fox Adopt-a-Nest” program allows donors to symbolically adopt a sea turtle nest laid on Island beaches. Proceeds from the program help Turtle Watch protect sea turtles and provide education and outreach.

Turtle Watch commemorates Suzi Fox Day
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring dedicated this plaque in memory of late executive director Suzi Fox. – Submitted | Turtle Watch

A plaque intended to be placed on a nest laid on May 1 says in part, “In Loving Memory of Suzi L. Fox. Her legacy continues as the Sea Turtles and Shorebirds return to AMI.”

“Only the turtles know which nest it will be,” Mazzarella said.

For the safety of the nest and hatchlings, AMITW does not disclose the nesting dates or locations of nests, Mazzarella said.

May 1 was also proclaimed “Suzi Fox Day” in the city of Bradenton Beach.

The Bradenton Beach City Commission issued the proclamation in January to honor Fox, who served as Turtle Watch director until her death on Sept. 30, 2022.

Under Fox’s directorship, the organization grew.

“In three decades, we monitored 7,339 turtle activities, protected 4,454 nests, 301,694 turtle eggs, and watched 271,680 hatchlings depart to become a future generation of loggerheads that will return to the region as they reach maturity,” according to the Turtle Watch website.

Sea turtles on the Island broke both nesting and hatchling records in 2022.

Suzi Fox honored at celebration of life

Suzi Fox honored at celebration of life

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – At the celebration of Suzi Fox’s life, local dignitaries, family and friends painted a picture of a dedicated advocate for Island turtles, a fun-loving and funny friend, and a caring mother, sister and grandmother.

Fox, longtime executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, died on Sept. 30 after a fall.

More than 150 people attended the event at the Center of Anna Maria Island on Saturday to pay tribute to Fox.

Nanci Banman, Fox’s sister, described Suzi as a force to be reckoned with.

“If you met her, it was like you’ve known her all your life,” Banman said.

Anna Maria Mayor Dan Murphy said it was clear that Fox loved the turtles, the seabirds and the community.

“She believed strongly in what she was doing,” he said.

Turtle Watch board member Diane McCausey said Suzi would be humbled by the turnout.

“The board is working hard with the county and the FWC,” McCausey said. “Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch will continue to grow. It won’t be the same, but we will make her proud.”

Charlie Hunsicker, director of the Manatee County Natural Resources Department, worked with Fox since 1992.

“The turtles that were born on this beach will return again and again,” Hunsicker said. “Think of that continuity and the role Suzi played.”

Hunsicker presented an environmental award from the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association to Fox’s sisters, Kendra Fox and Nanci Banman, and her son, Dereck Norfleet.

“Suzi was very well known across the state of Florida,” Norfleet said, describing her as determined and fearless, and issuing a request to her friends and family: “I ask you all today when you see a beautiful sunset, have a delicious a cup of coffee, hear a good Steely Dan song, think about putting ketchup on steak (don’t do it), walk along the beach and see sea turtle tracks of nests, see something the color periwinkle, her favorite, take the path less traveled, that you think of Suzi and smile.”

Turtle Watch director Suzi Fox dies

Turtle Watch director Suzi Fox dies

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Suzi Fox, a longtime former Island resident and executive director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, died last week at HCA Florida Blake Hospital.

Suzi Fox, director of Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring for more than 30 years, died Sept. 30 at HCA Florida Blake Hospital due to complications from a recent fall. – Cindy Lane | Sun

Fox, 65, died due to complications following a fall at home on Sept. 24, according to family members, who said her death was unexpected. Her son, Dereck Norfleet, said she had been in the hospital for six days prior to her death.

Fox’s interest in the Island’s sea turtles began in 1990. She had moved with her mother and sisters from Michigan to Miami, where she was a hotel manager, then they relocated again to Anna Maria Island. Her turtle career began after she found a turtle nest at Bayfront Park.

She told The Sun in 2011 she felt she had a calling and joined the organization’s 40 volunteers.

“We didn’t go to all the training we go to today,” because so little was known about sea turtles at the time, she said on the occasion of her 20th anniversary with Turtle Watch. Most turtle eggs were dug up and relocated to hatcheries, then the hatchlings were raised for several weeks before their release into the Gulf of Mexico.

As more became known about sea turtles, some in the organization decided to try nature’s way, and leave the eggs in their nests to hatch. Fox agreed to try it for a year.

“I wasn’t certain this was going to work,” she said. “The first nest we left on the beach was at Park Avenue. We saw it hatch and I was so excited.”

In 1996, Fox became the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s turtle permit holder for the Island, adding nesting shorebird monitoring and protection to her duties.

Under her directorship, the organization grew. According to the AMITW website: “For 30+ years Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch (AMITW) has coordinated conservation efforts for 12 miles of Manatee County shoreline. In three decades, we monitored 7,339 turtle activities, protected 4,454 nests, 301,694 turtle eggs, and watched 271,680 hatchlings depart to become a future generation of loggerheads that will return to the region as they reach maturity – in about 30 years.”

Turtle Watch director Suzi Fox dies
Suzi Fox and her late partner, Skip, patrol Anna Maria Island’s beaches for signs of sea turtle nesting. – Cindy Lane | Sun

Sea turtles broke both nesting and hatchling records this year on the Island.

In an email to The Sun from Charlie Hunsicker, director of the Manatee County Natural Resources Department, he wrote, “Words cannot explain the complications of life and fleeting moments mixed with joy of recovery and tragic endings. She will live on each and every time we remember her smile, her passion, and her good works for all the creatures that relied upon her for their very existence on the Island.”

Fox moved from the Island to West Bradenton a few months ago.

She is survived by her son Dereck, his wife Katherine, and their two children, Elizabeth and Ashley. She is also survived by her sister, Nanci Banman and her husband Gene, and her sister, Kendra Fox.

The family said that a memorial service will be planned for later this year at the beach.

Donations in Fox’s memory may be made to Turtle Watch online.

Turtle hatchlings break record on AMI

Turtle hatchlings break record on AMI

Written by Leslie Lake on . Posted in Featured, Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Sea turtle hatchlings have broken the Anna Maria Island record set by the 2018 crop of local loggerheads, with 35,850 hatchlings so far this year.

The number, recorded last weekend by Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, exceeds the previous record of 35,788 hatchlings that made it to the Gulf of Mexico from the Island’s beaches in 2018, and there are more to come.

“It will continue to grow as there are nests to still hatch,” Turtle Watch volunteer Barbara Riskay said.

Turtle Watch breaks down nesting data into three geographical sections. The first, from the Longboat Key Bridge north to Manatee Beach, has had 17,167 hatchlings so far this year. The second, from Manatee Beach north to Bean Point, has had 17,805 hatchlings so far. The third, covering bayside beaches, has had 878 hatchlings so far this year.

The last time turtles set a record on AMI was in 2019, when turtle moms laid a record number of nests – 544. This year’s nesting tally is approaching that record, at 531 nests.

Turtle Watch also counts nests that were not laid, known as false crawls, identified by tracks left by nesting mothers that did not dig nests.

Sea turtle nesting season ends on Oct. 31.